With the regular season in the rearview mirror and the playoffs set to kick off, Brian Lamb joins us to release his latest mock draft of the 2026 NFL Draft cycle. Below is the first round of the mock draft, but it doesn’t feature trades and predicts where teams should focus this offseason.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Tom Brady is spearheading the search for a new head coach. I guess that the hire will also be tied to selecting a new quarterback to lead the franchise. Fernando Mendoza makes the most sense.
2. New York Jets
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
If I’m Dante Moore, I’m not sure that I would declare for the 2026 NFL Draft if it means that I have to play for the Jets. However, they have four picks in the top 50, so they have the ammunition to improve the franchise immediately.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
If the Cardinals want to move on from Kyler Murray, they’ll have to be okay with eating some dead cap. Or, they could improve the team around the QB position to target a QB in the near future.
4. Tennessee Titans
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
QB Cam Ward has shown flashes this season. It’s now up to the Titans’ front office to build around him.
5. New York Giants
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
A new head coach will lead the New York Giants next season. Finding a cornerstone at linebacker to lead the defense should be a priority.
6. Cleveland Browns
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns should take a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, they’re slightly out of position to do so here. Rather, let’s mock them a wide receiver that can make plays consistently.
7. Washington Commanders
Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
The best thing that Rueben Bain can do leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft would be to refuse to measure his arm length. Reportedly, that measurement will be much shorter than what teams prefer. However, there’s no denying that he’s one of the best prospects in this class on the field.
8. New Orleans Saints
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Improving the offensive line should be a top priority for the Saints. Mauigoa fits the bill here.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
If Travis Kelce is ready to hang up his cleats, the Chiefs are in a great position to find his replacement. Or they could look at addressing another area of need if they feel comfortable with who they have on the roster at tight end.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I really love this fit for both sides. However, if teams are out on Rueben Bain due to his arm length, we could see the Bengals have to weigh the possibility of moving up to secure Bailey.
11. Miami Dolphins
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
As is the case with the Cardinals, the Dolphins will need to be okay with eating a lot of dead cap money if they want to move on from Tua Tagovailoa. If they’re not, or if they want to look at the quarterback position in a later round, then Caleb Downs makes a lot of sense for them in the first.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Cowboys have two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. At least one of those should be spent on improving their secondary.
13. Los Angeles Rams
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Let’s try to add some stability to the Rams’ secondary with this pick.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
I think we were all shocked when Baltimore parted ways with John Harbaugh. It’ll be interesting to see who they bring in to replace him, but the goal should remain the same – improve their pass rush.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Buccaneers just missed out on the playoffs this season. There are some holes to fill, especially on defense. If they don’t lean edge, look for the organization to focus heavily on linebacker.
16. New York Jets
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
There are several directions that the Jets could go with their second pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft, but at some point, they will have to address their secondary. Therefore, it would make sense for them to do so here.
17. Detroit Lions
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Lions missed the playoffs this season, but they do have the opportunity to reload with the earlier draft pick. They don’t have a third-round selection, so they need to make these two picks count.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Ohio State has so much talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially with the pair of linebackers in Arvell Tate and Sonny Styles. I’ve got the Vikings picking up the latter here.
19. Carolina Panthers
Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
I’ve got some interior offensive line help heading to the playoff-bound Carolina Panthers.
20. Dallas Cowboys
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Even if they re-sign George Pickens, I still think that the Dallas Cowboys could do some good with a slot receiver with their second selection in the first round.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
I just don’t envision a scenario in which the Steelers can afford to overlook the quarterback position early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
It feels like we say this every year, but the Chargers need to protect Justin Herbert.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Some pass rush help for the Eagles once again.
24. Buffalo Bills
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
We may get some clarity with Keon Coleman and where the Buffalo Bills stand with him this offseason. Regardless, I like this move for the Bills.
25. Chicago Bears
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The Bears are one of the most improved teams this season. Let’s throw some more talent on the defensive line with this pick.
26. San Francisco 49ers
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
I’m not sure how much Trent Williams has left in the tank, so I’ll go ahead and send some offensive line depth their way.
27. Houston Texans
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
I don’t typically prefer teams adding a running back in the first round, but this move would elevate the Texans’ running game significantly.
28. Cleveland Browns
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Browns will have a new head coach to start the 2026 NFL season. They should also have a new QB under center that they can rely on, too.
29. Los Angeles Rams
Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
Unless they’re willing to use the 13th pick on a quarterback, the Rams are out of position to address that need in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, they could package both picks if they want to move up.
30. New England Patriots
TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
It’s tough to find a hole on New England’s depth chart. With that being said, they could certainly add some youth to their front seven.
31. Denver Broncos
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
With a couple of expiring contracts and injuries throughout the season, this move makes sense for the Denver Broncos.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Nick Emmanwori has been a valuable asset for the Seahawks this season, so why not draft his replacement at South Carolina?